The Estevan Family Resource Centre is going to take over the organization of Savour the Southeast next year.
An announcement was made Friday through a press release by the previous organizing committee, who revealed during the summer that they wouldn’t be organizing Savour again.
The family resource centre has stepped forward to ensure the event’s survival.
Brittany Zahn, who is the co-chair of the family centre’s board, said the agency thought it would be a good opportunity to continue Savour the Southeast, which has been a successful fundraiser the last few years.
One of the factors that led to their decision is that Savour is a popular event.
“It’s a great fundraiser and it’s a great community event, and that was a big factor that it was already established,” said Zahn. “The former Savour committee is very willing to pass everything along and help us out that first year.”
The family centre will be looking to continue with the format that has made Savour the Southeast such a success, with tokens to purchase food, beer and spirits, and live music happening throughout the night.
“This first year we want to see what we’ve got ourselves into and follow the outline the former committee has given us, just so we don’t bite off more than we can chew,” she said. “We want to continue with what we know works, and go from there.”
Zahn attended Savour the Southeast for the first time in May, and thought it was a great and fun event.
“Hopefully we can do the same,” said Zahn.
Zahn said the family centre is looking for community members to join the steering committee. She is confident they will be able to handle all of the work.
“We definitely know that it’s a big job and a lot of work, but we’ve all decided that it’s worth the commitment, so hopefully we can get a few more people that want to do it with us, and we can pull it off.”
A public meeting will be held on Oct. 18 at the Days Inn’s Taylorton Room at 8 p.m. to get some information and to find out what people are interested in. They hope to build the organizing committee and some sub-committees from there.
Josh LeBlanc, who was a former organizing committee member for Savour the Southeast, said the family centre became the new organizers of Savour following a process that included a meeting in August.
“We have enjoyed putting on this show, and felt that it was time for more creative minds to come on board. We are very excited to be passing this event on to a very well-known and respected group in our community,” said LeBlanc.
The Estevan Family Resource Centre is a prevention model of service delivery, offering a comprehensive range of programs aimed at enhancing child and family well-being by reducing family isolation, supporting healthy child development and providing information to support positive parenting.
The agency provides services in four core areas: parenting education, early learning, family wellness and support and information and referrals, and it also has a drop-in and play area.
Savour the Southeast will become the family centre’s top fundraiser of the year. Zahn said the organization will continue with its annual golf tournament that is traditionally held at the end of June, but it will likely take a break from other events, including the Estevan Bump, Baby and Toddler Expo.
